Travel Diary Entry | Why I love Travertine

Sharing my perspective on the history of materials I see during my travels and what they mean to me for my designs.

While visiting Rome, I noticed travertine everywhere:

Ancient buildings, sidewalks, architectural columns & facades. It was so inspiring to see.

I love sourcing travertine for my residential design projects, so getting to see the stone woven into Rome’s rich architectural history, & at such a grand scale, felt incredibly special to see in person.

The history, the craftsmanship, & the way the stone has aged over centuries, makes me appreciate & fall in love with travertine even more.

What is travertine?

Travertine is a natural creamy white porous limestone formed by hot springs, most famously quarried near Tivoli, Italy. It ages beautifully & develops a richer patina over time. It’s durable, lighter than solid stone, & is a timeless natural stone with a long lifespan.

Travertine & Rome: A brief history

Romans discovered travertine deposits near Tivoli around the 2nd century BC. It quickly became their material of choice for large-scale construction across the city.

Quarried from Tivoli's mineral-rich hills, travertine was cut into massive blocks & floated down the Aniene River directly into Rome. Its natural porosity made it lighter than solid limestone, which meant they could build higher, bigger, & bolder structures.

Famous Travertine buildings in Rome

The Colosseum
(70–80 AD)

The most travertine-intensive build in history. 100,000 cubic meters of stone, stacked without mortar.

St. Peter's Basilica
(Started in 16th century & completed in17th century)

Bernini's colonnade consists of 284 columns & 88 travertine pilasters, quarried from Tivoli, chosen specifically for its warmth & ability to hold monumental scale without feeling heavy.

Today, the beautiful travertine columns still frame St. Peter's Square.


The Pantheon

Built in 125 AD, the Pantheon is one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in the world, & travertine is a big reason why. The exterior columns & flooring were constructed from travertine quarried in Tivoli.


WHY I LOVE TRAVERTINE

It ages beautifully, sources naturally, & carries a quiet history. The porous surface & soft neutral cream tones help to add texture & depth to a warm minimalist palette.

Travertine feels organic, natural, & timeless, and always fits in with my warm & moody neutral palettes.

I love using travertine for custom stone sink fabrications, countertop stone, full shower slab walls with integrated stone niches, & furnishings.

Seeing the way travertine was used in Italy has given me a whole new appreciation for the beautiful natural stone.

Project: Oceanbeach residence, San Francisco, CA
Interior design by @cynthialananh
Select photography by @adampottsphotos